--- name: "Sidney Blackmer" canonical: "https://film.one/person/sidney-blackmer" roles: ["Actor"] born: "12 July 1895" died: "6 October 1973" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 62 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-09-20T01:12:20.166934+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Sidney Blackmer Actor. Born 12 July 1895 in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA. Died 6 October 1973. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 12 July 1895, Salisbury, North Carolina, USA - **Died:** 6 October 1973 - **Active:** 1938–1944 - **Also known as:** Sydney Blackmer, S.A. Blackmer, Sidney Alderman Blackmer - **Average Fi1m score:** 62, as actor, over 2 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 64 (1), 1940s 61 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Blackmer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1592946, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085782/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12022 ## Fi1m on Sidney Blackmer > A supporting player for five decades, Sidney Blackmer made a trade of men of standing: generals, gangland bosses, Theodore Roosevelt about ten times over, and, late in life, an unusually attentive neighbour in *Rosemary's Baby*. Small parts, played with more seriousness than they asked for. In the last twenty minutes of *In Old Chicago* (1938), when the O'Leary melodrama has finally burnt itself out, a man in a general's uniform stands in a street of wooden houses and orders them blown apart to make a firebreak. That is Sidney Blackmer as Phil Sheridan, and it is a fair sample of what the studios used him for: a figure of authority, arriving late, saying the sensible thing while everything around him is alight. We had spent an hour waiting for the film to matter, and when it did, with Sheridan calmly demolishing his own city, we sat up. Blackmer plays it quietly and lets the fire carry the scene, which is the right call and not the easy one. He had been at it a long time by then. A bit part in *The Perils of Pauline* in 1914 while he was still at university, a Broadway debut in 1917, then army service in the First World War, and from 1929 a steady run of supporting parts in more than 120 films. *Little Caesar* (1931) gave him Big Boy early on. Then came the presidents. Blackmer played Theodore Roosevelt something like ten times on stage and screen, *Teddy the Rough Rider* (1940) among them, the resemblance helped along with glasses and make-up until producers reached for him whenever a script needed a Roosevelt. It is an odd way to build a career, being the man who looks like someone else, and it tells you what kind of actor the studios thought they had. His own account was that he preferred the other side of the law. "Any time I had a chance to play the villain, I grabbed it." The bad man, he said, was always the more colourful and interesting part. What he mostly got instead were the unctuous and the solicitous: elderly men whose courtesy is a touch too attentive, heavies who never raise their voices. His stage peak came in 1950 as Doc in *Come Back, Little Sheba*, opposite Shirley Booth, a part he threw himself into physically, drunk scenes and all. The film was made with a different cast. Supporting men are used to that. The performance he is remembered for came late. In *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), for Roman Polanski, he is Roman Castevet, the elderly neighbour across the hall, with Ruth Gordon as his wife, and he brings to it the hospitable manner he had been polishing for thirty years. We have not reviewed it and will not judge it at length here, except to say that the courtesy is what stays with you. Blackmer himself thought it the best work of his career, and he was in a position to know. If you want to see what forty years of standing politely at the edge of the frame produces, start with the neighbours. ## Biography Sidney Alderman Blackmer (13 July 1895 – 6 October 1973) was an American actor known for supporting roles in more than 120 films and numerous Broadway productions. Born and raised in Salisbury, North Carolina, he made his film debut in the serial *The Perils of Pauline* (1914) and his Broadway debut in 1917. His early career was interrupted by service in the First World War. After returning to the stage, Blackmer resumed film work in 1929. He won the 1950 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in *Come Back, Little Sheba*. He appeared as General Phil Sheridan in *In Old Chicago* (1938) and played Roman Castevet in *Rosemary's Baby* (1968). Blackmer was frequently cast as Theodore Roosevelt and received the North Carolina Award for Fine Arts in 1972. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, ncpedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) - *Wilson* (1944), Fi1m 61, as Josephus Daniels — [page](https://film.one/film/wilson.md) - *In Old Chicago* (1938), Fi1m 64, as General Phil Sheridan — [page](https://film.one/film/in-old-chicago.md) ## Complete filmography (152) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Do You Take This Stranger?* (1971), as G.R. Jarvis - *Revenge Is My Destiny* (1971), as Gregory Mann - *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Roman Stepanak, Clarence Dunhill - *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), as Roman Castevet - *A Covenant with Death* (1967), as Col. Oates - *The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.* (1966), series, as Professor Antrum - *Joy in the Morning* (1965), as Dean James Darwent - *How to Murder Your Wife* (1965), as Judge Blackstone - *Profiles in Courage* (1964), series, as Oscar W. Underwood - *Daniel Boone* (1964), series, as Jasper Ledbedder - *The Outer Limits* (1963), series, as William Lyons Selby - *Stampede at Bitter Creek* (1962), as Sam Underwood - *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor - *Target: The Corruptors!* (1961), series, Actor - *Dr. Kildare* (1961), series, as Dr. Carleton Lantzinge, Dr. Andrew Bennett - *Cain's Hundred* (1961), series, as Joseph Callan - *Thriller* (1960), series, as Edward Stapleton - *What Makes Sammy Run?* (1959), as H.L. Harrington - *Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse* (1958), series, as Woodson - *The Rifleman* (1958), series, as Judge Hanavan - *The Texan* (1958), series, Actor - *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1958), series, as Judge Cooper - *Strange Witness* (1958), as Christopher - *Tammy and the Bachelor* (1957), as Professor Brent - *Accused of Murder* (1956), as Frank Hobart - *The Little Foxes* (1956), as Ben - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Judge Hanavan - *Beyond a Reasonable Doubt* (1956), as Austin Spencer - *The Adventures of Jim Bowie* (1956), series, Actor - *High Society* (1956), as Seth Lord - *The View from Pompey's Head* (1955), as Garvin Wales - *Matinee Theater* (1955), series, Actor - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Frank Partridge, Otis Jones - *The Star and the Story* (1955), series, Actor - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Prrof. Watson, Frank Bellason - *The High and the Mighty* (1954), as Humphrey Agnew - *Johnny Dark* (1954), as James Fielding - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Christopher - *The Ford Television Theatre* (1952), series, as Wade Anthony - *Washington Story* (1952), as Philip Emery - *The San Francisco Story* (1952), as Andrew Cain - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Ben - *People Will Talk* (1951), as Arthur Higgins - *Tales of Tomorrow* (1951), series, Actor - *Saturday's Hero* (1951), as T.C. McCabe - *Armstrong Circle Theatre* (1950), series, Actor - *Robert Montgomery Presents* (1950), series, as Vardis Ward, Julian Prescott - *Suspense* (1949), series, as Dr. Steven Archer - *A Song Is Born* (1948), as Adams - *The Philco Television Playhouse* (1948), series, as Marvin Platt - *My Girl Tisa* (1948), as Theodore Roosevelt - *Duel in the Sun* (1946), as The Lover - *Wilson* (1944), as Josephus Daniels — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/wilson.md) - *The Lady and the Monster* (1944), as Eugene Fulton - *Buffalo Bill* (1944), as Theodore Roosevelt (uncredited) - *Broadway Rhythm* (1944), as Press Agent - *In Old Oklahoma* (1943), as Teddy Roosevelt - *I Escaped from the Gestapo* (1943), as Bergen - *Murder in Times Square* (1943), as George Nevins - *Quiet Please, Murder* (1943), as Martin Cleaver - *Sabotage Squad* (1942), as Carlyle Harrison - *March On, America!* (1942), as Theodore Roosevelt (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Gallant Lady* (1942), as Steve Carey - *Obliging Young Lady* (1942), as Henry - George's Attorney - *Always in My Heart* (1942), as Philip Ames - *The Panther's Claw* (1942), as Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt - *Nazi Agent* (1942), as Arnold Milbar - *Down Mexico Way* (1941), as Ellery Gibson - *The Officer and the Lady* (1941), as Blake Standish - *The Feminine Touch* (1941), as Freddie Bond - *Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime* (1941), as Anthony Rhodes - *Angels with Broken Wings* (1941), as Guy Barton - *Love Crazy* (1941), as Lawyer George Renny - *Rookies on Parade* (1941), as Augustus Moody - *The Great Swindle* (1941), as Dave Lennox - *Murder Among Friends* (1941), as Mr. Wheeler - *Cheers for Miss Bishop* (1941), as John Stevens - *Third Finger, Left Hand* (1940), as Hughie Wheeler - *I Want a Divorce* (1940), as Erskine Brandon - *Dance, Girl, Dance* (1940), as Puss in Boots - *Maryland* (1940), as Spencer Danfield - *Framed* (1940), as Tony Bowman - *Teddy the Rough Rider* (1940), as Theodore Roosevelt - *Law of the Pampas* (1939), as Ralph Merritt - *The Monroe Doctrine* (1939), as Theodore Roosevelt - *Hotel for Women* (1939), as McNeil - *Land of Liberty* (1939), as Theodore Roosevelt (edited from 'Teddy the Rough Rider') - *Trapped in the Sky* (1939), as Mann - *Unmarried* (1939), as Cash Enright - *It's a Wonderful World* (1939), as Al Mallon - *Within the Law* (1939), as George Demarest - *Fast and Loose* (1939), as "Lucky" Nolan - *Convict's Code* (1939), as Gregory Warren - *Trade Winds* (1938), as Thomas Bruhme II - *While New York Sleeps* (1938), as Ralph Simmons - *Sharpshooters* (1938), as Baron Orloff - *Suez* (1938), as Marquis Du Brey - *Down on the Farm* (1938), as Political Boss - *Straight, Place and Show* (1938), as 'Lucky' Braddock - *Speed to Burn* (1938), as Hastings - *In Old Chicago* (1938), as General Phil Sheridan — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/in-old-chicago.md) - *Thank You, Mr. Moto* (1937), as Herr Eric Koeger - *Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo* (1937), as Victor Karnoff - *The Last Gangster* (1937), as San Francisco Editor - *Heidi* (1937), as Sesemann - *Wife, Doctor and Nurse* (1937), as Dr. Gordon Therberg - *The Women Men Marry* (1937), as Walter Wiley - *This Is My Affair* (1937), as President Theodore Roosevelt - *Michael O'Halloran* (1937), as Jim Mintum - *John Meade's Woman* (1937), as Rodney - *A Doctor's Diary* (1937), as Dr. Anson Ludlow - *Girl Overboard* (1937), as Alex LeMaire - *The House of Secrets* (1936), as Tom Starr - *The President's Mystery* (1936), as George Sartos - *Missing Girls* (1936), as Dan Collins - *Early to Bed* (1936), as Rex Daniels - *Florida Special* (1936), as Jack Macklyn - *Woman Trap* (1936), as Riley Ferguson - *Heart of the West* (1936), as Big John Trumbull - *Forced Landing* (1935), as Tony Bernardi - *The Fire-Trap* (1935), as Cedric McIntyre - *False Pretenses* (1935), as Kenneth Alden - *The Girl Who Came Back* (1935), as Bill Rhodes - *Streamline Express* (1935), as Gilbert Landon - *Smart Girl* (1935), as Harry Courtland - *Shadows of the Orient* (1935), as King Moss - *Great God Gold* (1935), as John Hart - *Behind the Green Lights* (1935), as Raymond Cortell - *The Little Colonel* (1935), as Swazey - *A Notorious Gentleman* (1935), as Clayton Bradford - *The President Vanishes* (1934), as D.L. Voorman - *Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round* (1934), as Lee Lother - *The Count of Monte Cristo* (1934), as Mondego - *Down to Their Last Yacht* (1934), as Barry Forbes - *This Man Is Mine* (1934), as Mort Holmes - *Good-bye Love* (1933), as Chester Hamilton - *Deluge* (1933), as Martin Webster - *The Wrecker* (1933), as Tom Cummings - *Cocktail Hour* (1933), as Lawton - *From Hell to Heaven* (1933), as Cliff Billings - *The Lady Who Dared* (1931), as Charles Townsend - *It's a Wise Child* (1931), as Steve - *Woman Hungry* (1931), as Geoffrey Brand - *Little Caesar* (1931), as Big Boy - *Mothers Cry* (1930), as Mr. Gerald Hart - *Kismet* (1930), as Wazir Mansur - *The Bad Man* (1930), as Morgan Pell - *Sweethearts and Wives* (1930), as Anthony Peel - *Strictly Modern* (1930), as Heath Desmond - *The Love Racket* (1929), Actor - *A Most Immoral Lady* (1929), as Humphrey Sergeant - *Beating Back* (1914), Actor ## Gallery - ![Sidney Blackmer](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-d94456f90895.jpg) Sidney Blackmer — The original uploader was Givememoney17 at English Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/34montecristoblackmer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Title: Blackmer Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1900)](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-36751d44ddf5.jpg) Title: Blackmer Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1900) — Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Blackmer_LCCN2014713798.jpg/1280px-Blackmer_LCCN2014713798.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Title: Blackmer Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1900)](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-9ddb4c7d3304.jpg) Title: Blackmer Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1900) — Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Blackmer_LCCN2014713799.jpg/1280px-Blackmer_LCCN2014713799.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Title: Hayes & Blackman Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1925)](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-afb67d9631f8.jpg) Title: Hayes & Blackman Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1925) — Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Hayes_%26_Blackman_LCCN2014717992.jpg/1280px-Hayes_%26_Blackman_LCCN2014717992.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Sidney Blackmer](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-4fc0ec8e3b5e.jpg) Sidney Blackmer — Image via TMDB - ![Sidney Blackmer](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-8e9e256f90fe.jpg) Sidney Blackmer — Image via TMDB - ![Mayo Methot and Sidney Blackmer in a still for Goodbye Love (1933)](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-a3a3d9080cfe.jpg) Mayo Methot and Sidney Blackmer in a still for Goodbye Love (1933) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Mayo_Methot_and_Sidney_Blackmer.jpg/1280px-Mayo_Methot_and_Sidney_Blackmer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Strictly Modern Subjects (LCTGM): actresses, actors, motion pictures (1930)](https://film.one/media/person/1229995/gallery-333eecf7fb14.jpg) Strictly Modern Subjects (LCTGM): actresses, actors, motion pictures (1930) — Unknown photographerUnknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Strictly_Modern_%28SAYRE_14940%29.jpg/1280px-Strictly_Modern_%28SAYRE_14940%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 2 won - North Carolina Award for Fine Arts 1972: North Carolina Award for Fine Arts (won) - Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1950: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sidney-blackmer